Kipling name back on track

After an absence of nearly 50 years, the Kipling name will return to rallying, the grandson of Round Australia Trial ace Possum Kipling mounting a challenge in this year's Australian Rally Championship.

Kipling name back on track

27 February 2000Bob Jennings

After an absence of nearly 50 years, the Kipling name will return to rallying, the grandson of Round Australia Trial ace Possum Kipling mounting a challenge in this year's Australian Rally Championship.

Brett Kipling, 26 (pictured), who has carved a career in speedway to become the South Australian Speedcar Champion, has acquired the ex-Ralliart Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution V driven by Ed Ordynski last year - the first works Lancer to have been sold by Ralliart to a private team here.

Kipling has competed in off-road events, sprintcars and speedcars since he was 15.

His grandfather, Possum Kipling, was a leading driver in the 1953, 1954, 1955 and 1956 Redex Round Australia Trials.

Brett Kipling will debut the new rally car at the Respect Yourself Forest Rally in Perth on April 1-2.

"There's no doubt the first rally is going to be tough. We've been out there trying out the car, writing pace notes and getting a feel for what the car is capable of," Kipling said.

"I think because I grew up with Grandpa's rallying success and driving in the paddocks around his house, I have a pretty good feel for what I'm doing out there."